Long-anticipated stormwater management upgrades have begun in the Borough of Waynesboro, and motorists can expect delays over the next year.

Kevin Grubbs, director of borough engineering services, said Fayetteville Contractors started cutting areas of Third Street and Snider Avenue on Monday, and will soon cut areas near the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and West Second and Grant streets.

“After that they will start excavating to install the new storm drain pipe,” Grubbs said.

Additional upgrades

David H. Martin Excavating is looking to begin work on South Potomac Street between Main and Gay streets as early as Jan. 21, according to Grubbs.

D.L. George and Sons should receive its notice to proceed this week with the large bypass under South Potomac Street that runs from Fifth Street to Ninth Street. Grubbs said the company will likely start work by the end of January or beginning of February.

Grubbs does not foresee any major detours for the work, but said there could be some road closures near Grant and Second since the intersection is rather busy.

Grubbs said the contractors are required to keep at least one lane of traffic open at all times on South Potomac Street, so flaggers will help direct drivers.

“Over the next coming months we are going to have three contractors working in town,” Grubbs said. “The best advice we can give residents is to try to avoid these areas as much as possible because they can expect delays.”

Grubbs said bypass work at Grant and Second streets will last between four to six months, the upgrades at Main and Gay streets along South Potomac will take roughly three months to complete and the large bypass under South Potomac Street will take a year to finish.

Upgrading the borough’s undersized stormwater management system has been a priority for borough officials for the past several years. Three days of downpours in June 2006 left feet of standing water in people’s homes and yards, and concerned residents asked borough council for a solution.

The first phase of the upgrades — the widening of the outfall at Cemetery Avenue — was completed last year.

Grubbs said the current upgrades will not completely eliminate flooding in the borough, but they will “drastically minimize it.”